It was a busy afternoon, and I mostly stayed inside wif the women folk... but I did enjoy a few swings frew the back yard!

I kept checkin the tree for activity, but there was far more excitin fings goin on INside than OUT!

FRESH-HOLD
So I was quick to implore...
"Please to let us go in of doors. Please."

The Bleu open wide...
And implore a little louder!!!

And I frow this in for the ladies...
who enjoy a little manly yet extremely cute
fur and floof!

FLOPPIN

Tis The Season of The Little Bed!

One of my most favorite fings about the lower than normal temperatures we've had this week... is curlin up in the little bed. And here I am, Wednesday Night [Day 902]: Souf Little Bed.

Wednesday Night [Day 902]: The Bleu in the East Little Bed.

FLIPPIN

We flipped and flopped... again.
Wednesday Night [Day 902]: Me in the East Little Bed.

Wednesday Night [Day 902]: The Bleu in the Souf Little Bed.

FORTY WINKS

My the Aunt Karen has left the household, and I am all ready missin her! She holds a special place in my heart for SO many reasons...

Not the least of which, she take me shoppin to buy this fabulous gift for my the Mom's mmf Birfday!!!

Dinosaur Wif Egg Babies.
I fink all you the Moms can agree...
There is no more perfect gift!

The Bleu, he has settled into the East Litttle Bed.

He's pretty cute...
Even for a brother.

The Bleu may seem innocent...

But Big Boy knows how to work it.

A BIG SECRET

The Mom is shuttin fings down round here. And as CHS (Chief Household Supervisor) I am watchin ever move. I know the secret, but my lips are sealed! After all, I'm a stand-up, loyal kind of boy!

That's not to say I'm above frowin a big pity party for the Santa, if he's readin... I mean, there might be a basket FULL of toys right there, but...

THAT BASKET came wif the Bleu, as part of his trousseau, and so technically it and said contents, for all Santa-like purposes is not mine [mine mine]. And so I fink I might be in need and also deservin a new stuffy [or 2 or 3 or 40]. Just sayin.

Shhhhhhh... No need to mention this to the Bleu...
Just sayin.

I love ever single day. I do. Give me an EXTRAORDINARY day like today, and I'm excited, frilled and ultimately... completely relaxed and satisfied. And as I rest my eyes, I count my blessins... and say my prayers! And I close by wishin you...

Did some Dog just say that Luke needs a cellphone to call and have someone let him in of doors? Craziest thing I ever herd! All you and Bleu has to do is some big barks, in unison, and someone will open that door in a heartbeat.

Surely Santa will be bringing you at least a stuffie or two or three or more. We have two beds here and three crates - there is a lot of shuffling around here too. Phantom prefers the crate but we do find him on a bed every now and then.

We love watching you the Luke and the Bleu so much. Gee you guys have alot of toys and we think you need some new ones. We took your advice and Holly stayed here to look after mom because she was afraid for her if she was to go to the North Pole. Gee..she could get in trouble. Have a great day!! Lots of love, Holly and mom

We're just stopping by to say 'hello' and see what you're up too--I admire that you're able to keep a secret...We have a few that can't around here. I do think that for keeping a secret you should get at least 40 new stuffies from Santa to call your very own! :-)

It is a great day to be alive, as our native population says. Spending the day with special family and sharing a meal always fills the soul. Santa will certainly not forget you! Please to ask your mom to send us your address so we can send you (and Bleu) a card with OUR cute little faces on it! You are a VERY good secret keeper... and we are VERY curious! BTW...EXCELLENT floof and tail, my man.

Oh Luke, We have just heard that you are not feeling well, we are praying so hard for you, we love you so much.We know the Bleu, the Mom and Auntie are giving you the best care.Hang in their Big Boy, Sophie and Hamish send you tail wags and belly rubs and lotsa licks.

w00fs, oooo the Luke, pleassseee feel better, it christmas time..we all love u and we is not gonna give up on u...and please tell ur "the mom" TO talk to us...we love her and know she's sick with worry right now..

Dear Luck,I see from Mogley that you are not feeling well. All of us here at the Conifer Crew are crossing our paws and saying prayers for you. We love you and your blog and how much fun you and Blue and Da Mom have. Feel better - you can beat this you beautiful boy.Valerie, GregRomeo and Charm and the GRRR Foster Prince.

Hello The Luke. We just heard from the OP Pack that you aren't feeling so good and I just wanted you to know that all of us in my house are thinking of you and sending you the power of the paw. I hope you feel better soon, my furend.

Hi Luke. We are friends with bunches of the doggie bloggers but haven't met you yet. But many have mentioned that you are not feeling well, and we just think that is bad, so we came by to tell you that even though we just met we are sending you tons of get well purrs and prayers.

Hey Luke, The Bleu and Mom,We have heard that you're not feeling very merry and we came out of semi-retirement to stop by and let you know how bad this makes us all feel. We have sent new letters to to Puppy Claws by express mail and told him to forget all our previous letters and that we only have one thing on all of our lists now; that's for Lucky Luke, the wonderdog, to feel better ASAP. We've dug out the good vib machine and have it aimed towards Texas and we're reving it up to send all those good vibs to you. Unfortunately, we're all too familiar with what you're all feeling now. We hope that the Spirit of Christmas will prevail over the holiday season. We all have such precious little time together that we must make the nmost of it. We're lighting a Christmas candle for Luke tonight and we'll be hitting the floor and looking up at The DOG and praying for our best buddy Luke to hit the road to feeling better soon. We have reset our priorities around TBH&K land; gifts and treats are OK but love, devotion, loyalty and family are what's important. Tell your mom to please contact us at "bumpasshounds@hughes.net" if there is anything that we can possible do for y"all. God Blessm Lucky Luke and his family and watch over them in these troubled times. Pldease bring comfort and strength to those that need it most.- Your Bumpass Buddies: Homer J., Jubal, J.E.B., Sophie, Shelby Belle, Jack, Abbey, Max, Shilpoh, Radar, Patti, Alex, Boru,Jenny and Gracie (TBH&K)

We love you dear Luke - we have also heered that you are not feelin' too super? It's a busy time of year, but so many are thinkin' about you...us and so many more. We are loving you lots and lots and sending you our powerful golden healing vibes - we loves you...Hugs xoxoxoSammie and Avalon

Dear Luke - my friends Bunny and Blueberry said you were feeling the sickies again. So I wanted to come by and tells you that I is holding the Power of the Paw for you. I is closing my eyes tight, tight, tight, and sending all my good thoughts your way. I hopes you can feel them!!

Dear sweet Luke..woo is not feeling good right now, so we is crossing paws and praying for woo! We has to get woo feeling better for Santa Paws so woo can be all excited when he leaves woo treats! We love woo Luke and my mommy is sending prayers to heaven for a quick recovery!

Howdy Luke, we are stopping over to send you some Hound Drool. We hope it makes you feel all better real soon. Blueberry and Morgan said you were feeling a little icky. We can't have that for the Howlidays. We hope the drool helps feel all better. The HoundDogs and Mom

Hello~We just came from Bunny's bloggy and her Christmas wishy was for The Luke and her sissy to fell betters~you have great furiends who care 'bout yous and we's wanted to let you know 'dat here in bloggy lands yous got peeps (little watermelon shaped pups..us) 'dat care 'bout yous and tink and pawray for you and your family!!

Hope you all have a Merry Christmans~loves,IzZY(I am not watermelon shaped)Trixie, Josie, and Anakin Man

We just came from Khyra's blog and found out why you have been missing on here lately. The Luke. Please know that we are praying for you and crossing our paws for you to get better. Please know that we love you very much. Lots of love, Holly and mom

Another day, Luke, and we hope it is a better one for you. We all love you and want you to get well, thats why we do prayings for you every day, we cross our paws and do wishings you would get well again.

me and asa and mama are sorry to hear that you aren't feelin' so hot. we are thinkin' of you and hopin' that you will feel the betterment super quick like. we continue to put our paws together for you and are sendin' lots of lovins your way! the love protocol is in full force!!

Hey there Luke...We are also popping by to say that our thoughts and prayers continue to be with you. Not blogging is never good news, so you should know that we love you and hold you in our arms. Hang in there dear ones!Sending lotsaluvMAXMOM IN SOUTH AFRICA

I'm sitting here sending love and sending support to the Luke's beloved family. I don't know how any of you are right now but since there haven't been any new posts I suspect that the news is not good.

Sadness and grief endured alone can be such an isolating experience. Please know that there are hundreds of us our here who love you.

Hope you are all doing well. Missing you and miss seeing your smiling faces!

Have a wonderful New Year 2011 full of much love, happiness, joy, and MUCH HEALTH!!! My paws are crossed for you, The Luke, and I pray that you heal! I look forward to reading of all your fun adventures in 2011.

Dear Luke (and Mommy Luke!)We know things are difficult for you at the moment, but as a community - YOUR COMMUNITY - of fellow animals lovers, we want to say: We love you! We miss you! Hang in there!Sending lotsaluvMAXMOM IN SOUTH AFRICA

Hiya Dawgs! MaxMom requested that we share some love with you so here I am! Always glad to meet a new furiend especially those of the 4 legged variety. Bein' of the retriever type but not the Golden kind (aka:labradorable) I envy the floof you carry proudly like a flag behind you.

Anyway, I see somedawgy has not been 100% in the Health dept. so I hope and pray that 2011 brings many blessin's of good health and happiness to you and your pack!

Since you were her inspiration, Luke, we wanted you to know that Puff has weathered her final heartworm treatments. The vet says her heart and lungs sound good and the congestive cough has stopped...all good signs. We won't know for sure until we retest in 4 months but we are all feeling pretty hopeful and confident.

Sending you thanks as well as woofs of comfort and healing energy (for both you and Bleu). Mom, know we hold you in you thoughts as well.

Hi Luke, We've seen you all over blog land and wanted you to know that all paws are crossed, here, for you. Every day we are sending good strong healing vibes mojo and thoughts with the hope that you'll feel better.

Please give your Mom a lick or two for us, too! We think of her all the time also.

Amanda, This is Cheddar, I just heard about Luke for the first time... and what an awesome guy he was. We are sending you and Bleu lots of love from the snowy hills of Connecticut. Wish we could have met him, he looks very wise....but he will live on forever in his amazing blog. You were a great mom.

I am so sorry to hear that Luke has left you. I hope you can find solace in the memories you made together. He's in great company, over the bridge. I know you'll hear that tail thumping in your hear, forever.

We were all so sad abouts Luke crossing Da Rainbow Bridge. Our hearts are aching fer what you and your family are goin through. Please know you are not alone and that you are all in our thoughts, our hearts and our prayers.

Run Free Luke ( We will go out in da garden tonights to looks fer your bright shining new star in da heavens)Wiv LuvsRichie, Ronnii and Momma Teaxxxxxx xxxxx xxxxx

Luke had the BEST life, being rescued by you. You were the BEST mom for him and he had an incredible support group. It definitely sounds like he was a happy, smiley boy all the way to the end. I know he will be looking down from above now and looking after you and The Bleu. Keep your eyes/senses open for the little signs he may send you to let you know he is OK.

We are so sorry to hear about the loss of beloved Luke. We can tell he touched the lives of so many in blogville. Sending you drools and hugs in hope it will provide some comfort for your family. God Bless and Run Free Luke.

We are so sorry to hear about the loss of beloved Luke. We can tell he touched the lives of so many in blogville. Sending you drools and hugs in hope it will provide some comfort for your family. God Bless and Run Free Luke.

Mom and I are so sorry to hear about Luke. His resemblance to out lost brother LoJack is uncanny,and we suspect the pain you are going through has a strong resemblance to ours as well. Luke surely knows how well he was loved.

Ms. Amanda and The Bleu,We are all lying around the kitchen floor with tears in our eyes. We want so much for this to be just a bad dream. Our big, tough Navy carrier pilot dad is misty eyed too. We have gone through this before when our siblings crossed over the Rainbow Bridge. We know that Bear, Rusty, Penny and Gordon were all there to greet Luke when he crossed The Bridge. He is not alone and you are there with him in hi spirit. The Luke will always be with you in your hearts just as he is in thousands of other hearts today. We want to say Thank You to The Mom for caring enough to give a senior shelter dog a second life, one filled with love which was truly The Luke's furever home. We love The Mom, and The Bleu too.- Homer J., Jubal, J.E.B., Sophie, Shelby Belle, Jack, Abby, Max, Shiloh, Radar, Patti, Alex, Boru, Jenny and Gracie = The Bumpass Hounds and Kitties (TBH&K)

The Last BattleIf it should be that I grow frail and weakAnd pain should keep me from my sleep,Then will you do what must be done,For this – the last battle – can’t be won.You will be sad I understand,But don’t let grief then stay your hand,For on this day, more than the rest,Your love and friendship must stand the test.We have had so many happy years,You wouldn’t want me to suffer so.When the time comes, please, let me go.Take me to where to my needs they’ll tend,Only, stay with me ‘til the endAnd hold me firm and speak to meUntil my eyes no longer see.I know in time you will agreeIt is a kindness you do to me.Although my tail its’ last has waved,From pain and suffering I have been saved.Don’t grieve that it must be youWho has to decide this thing to do;We’ve been so close – we two – these years,Don’t let your heart hold any tears.- Anonymous

Luke, we have no doubt that you are up there looking down on all of us here wondering why you had to go. But we are happy that you are in such a wonderful place, no funder, lots of fun pals to play and play with all day. It will be very hard here without you for a very long time. We all have your Mom and the Bleu held deeply in our hearts and prayers. We know that you will be with them forever in spirit. Thank you from us for every bit of joy and laughter you brought to our lives through your blog adventures.

We have seen on the Cat Blogosphere that Luke has passed to the Bridge, and we came to offer our deepest purrs of condolence. We know there is no comfort to be found right now in mere words, but we hope that in time all the Light and purrs and love and comfort being sent to you will help ease your heart.

Dear Mom and Bleu,We miss you so much and think of you often as you deal with the loss of Luke. He was a special boy and we so loved reading his blog. Please know our hearts and prayers are with you, and with Luke as he runs free at the Bridge with our Goldens that have paved the way there....Samson, Carmel and Kingsley. Happy Trails dear Luke, we miss you LOTS!

Go Team Luke!

Join Team Luke!

THE BOOK OF LUKE, CHAPTER TWO

Cool Hand Luke is my real name, but the Mom calls me all sorts of embarassin names like LuLu, Lukey, Sweety Boy and Love Muffin, just to name a few. A bit reserved by necessity in Chapter One, I'm all about the lavished attention, stuffies, fluffed pillows, lullabies, and freedom of expression that define the shear joy of my 'SECOND LIFE'! Troof is... a world that revolves around 'LuLu' takes some gettin used to... but I hope you'll take pleasure in my tails and join me in my ventures!

Fine Paw Print

Please note that all photographs (unless otherwise credited) are the sole property of me and the Mom, and should be considered copyrighted.

Please also note that, while I'm a ruggedly handsome dude with a quick wit and a high IQ, I am, after all is blogged... just a Golden Retriever. And this is my view of the world.

I'm a survivor, a scrapper and a hunter by instinct. And from time to time, I might, with all due respect, reference another pup's catch. I resolutely honor the Golden's Rules, meaning in part, that I give credit where credit is due... and give a high paw to sites and products that I lick... errrr... like!

Should you own the rights to any of the images or content I reference and don't want 'em to appear on this site, simply leave me a comment and tell me to... "Drop it". And I will. After all, I'm a Golden... and a good, good boy!